So did Basil, truly surnamed the great, when Valens the Emperor in a great rage threatened him with banishment, ⟨p. 94⟩and tortures, as to the first, said he, I little regard it, for the earth is the Lords, and the fullness thereof;1 and as for tortures what can they do upon such a poor thin body as mine, nothing but skin and bone?2 And at another time when Eusebius Governor of Pontus told him in a great rage, he would tear his very liver out of his bowels: Truly said Basil, you shall do me a very good turn in it, to take out my naughty liver; which inflames and diseaseth my whole body. Their enemies have professed the Christians put them to shame, by smiling at their Cruelties and and threatenings. Ignatius his love to Christ had so perfectly overcome all fears of sufferings, that when he was going to be thrown for a prey among the Lyons and Leopards, he professed he longed to be among them, and, said he, if they will not dispatch me the sooner, I will provoke them, that I may be with my sweet Jesus. And if we come down to later ages, we shall find as stout Champions for Christ▪ The Courage and undauntedness of Luther is trumpeted abroad throughout the Christian world, it would swell this small Tract too much, but to note the most eminent instances of his courage for Christ; The last he gave was by his sorrow in his last sickness, that he must carry his blood to the Grave. The like Heroic Spirit appeared in divers persons of Honour and eminency, who zealously espoused the same cause of reformation with him. Remarkable to this purpose is that famous Epistle written by Ulricus ab Hutten a German Knight, in defence of Luther's cause against the Cardinals and Bishops assembled at Worms. I will go through (said he) with what I have undertaken against you, and will stir up men to seek ⟨p. 95⟩their freedom: Such as yield not to me at first, I will overcome with importunity; I neither care nor fear what may befall me, being prepared for either event; either to ruin you, to the great benefit of my Country, or my self to fall with a good Conscience; therefore that you may see with what confidence I contemn your threats; I do profess my self to be your irreconcilable enemy, whilst ye persecute Luther and such as he is. No power of yours, no injury of fortune shall alter this mind in me;
So did Basil, truly sirnamed the great, when Valens the Emperour in a great rage threatned him with banishment, ⟨p. 94⟩and tortures, as to the first, said he, I little regard it, for the earth is the Lords, and the fulness thereof;1 and as for tortures what can they do upon such a poor thin body as mine, nothing but skin and bone?2 And at another time when Eusebius Governour of Pontus told him in a great rage, he would tear his very liver out of his bowels: Truly said Basil, you shall do me a very good turn in it, to take out my naughty liver; which inflames and diseaseth my whole body. Their enemies have professed the Christians put them to shame, by smiling at their Cruelties and and threatnings. Ignatius his love to Christ had so perfectly overcome all fears of sufferings, that when he was going to be thrown for a prey among the Lyons and Leopards, he professed he longed to be among them, and, said he, if they will not dispatch me the sooner, I will provoke them, that I may be with my sweet Jesus. And if we come down to later ages, we shall find as stout Champions for Christ▪ The Courage and undauntedness of Luther is trumpeted abroad throughout the Christian world, it would swell this small Tract too much, but to note the most eminent instances of his courage for Christ; The last he gave was by his sorrow in his last sickness, that he must carry his bloud to the Grave. The like Heroick Spirit appeared in divers persons of Honour and eminency, who zealously espoused the same cause of reformation with him. Remarkable to this purpose is that famous Epistle written by Ulricus ab Hutten a German Knight, in defence of Luther's cause against the Cardinals and Bishops assembled at Wormes. I will go through (said he) with what I have undertaken against you, and will stir up men to seek ⟨p. 95⟩their freedom: Such as yield not to me at first, I will overcome with importunity; I neither care nor fear what may befal me, being prepared for either event; either to ruine you, to the great benefit of my Countrey, or my self to fall with a good Conscience; therefore that you may see with what confidence I contemn your threats; I do profess my self to be your irreconcilable enemy, whilst ye persecute Luther and such as he is. No power of yours, no injury of fortune shall alter this mind in me;
